Non-returnable container case

ABSTRACT

A single piece corrugated case blank which can be formed into a four support post one way case having reinforced three column structure per post provided with a support shelf supported by the support post members.

United States Patent Hurlock Jan. 8, 1974 NON-RETURNABLE CONTAINER CASE 3,310,219 3/1967 Dlugopolski 229/34 11w 2,042,135 5/1936 Whalley 229/32 [75] Invent f Humck, Walled Lake 2,454,573 11/1948 Scher 229/34 R Mlch- 2,665,836 1/1954 Rendall 229/32 2,998,909 9/1961 Anderson, Jr. et a1. 229 34 R [73] Asslgnee' 335i 0 Corporamn 3,352,475 11 1967 Centammi 229/34 R [22] Filed: 1971 Primary Examiner-Davis T. Moorhead [21] App]. N0.: 193,809

[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. CI. 229/30, 229/49, 229/16 R 51 1111.0 B65d 5/20 A Plece m1gated Case blank whlch can be [58] Field 61 Search 229/32 31 24 25 fmmed SUPPO" P one Way case having 229/26 49 34 34 Hw DIG: H: 6 reinforced three column structure per post provided with a support shelf supported by the support post [56] References Cited members UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 3,552,633 1/1971 Ketler 229/30 PATENTEB JAN 8 I974 SHEET 2 OF 3 INVENTOR Aer/we c. A aezocx 3M A. W

ATTORNEY PATENTEUJAN 8.1914

SHEET 3 OF 3.

INVENTOR 137 408 C. A/UfZOC/Y ATTORNEY NON-RETURNABLE CONTAINER CASE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a corrugated one way case having four three-column support posts with an inherent support tab which acts with a support shelf suspending it from the support posts to assist in the stacking of cases on top of one another during shipping.

2. Description of Prior Art This case has many applications but one of the specific uses for which it is designed is to transfer milk from the packaging plant to the retail outlet. It has become quite common for packaging plants to ship dairy products several hundred miles to retailing outlets. The casing of these products have normally been cased in returnable plastic, wood and wire cases. This requires substantial investment in the item, its shipping weight, its cleaning, its returning, its storage at the various locations, and repairing in some cases. Probably the biggest disadvantage has been experienced in the collection, storage and returning of these cases. Some of the prime problems in using a standard corrugated box has been the material cost due to complete coverage and the limited ease of access to the cased product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a flat, generally rectangular blank is provided which can be formed into a generally open top, one way case. Post assemblies are provided which allow for a full length three-column support post assembly which has an inherent support tab. The support tab is secured to one end of a support shelf and works in concert with the support tab of an adjacent post assembly which is secured to the other end of the support shelf. The support tabs extend over all 3 columns of the support post assembly. The support shelf acts as a partial cover to the top opening of the case to retain the product but its major function is to act as a support shelf for other cases which may be stacked upon it.

The case blank is so constructed that hot melt beads can be applied prior to construction on one side of the blank to secure the major portions of the body structure. The hot melt can be supplied to the opposite side of each support tab after the productis loaded in the case and the support tabs are then secured to one end of the support shelves.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a layout view of the inside surface of a case blank from which a one way case can be formed illustrating the principle elements of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial corner view illustrating the support post assembly of the present invention having the first column folded over the second column forming a double layer element.

FIG. 3 is a partial corner portion of the case blank, similar to FIG. 2, showing the first and second column unit folded over the third column forming the support post assembly before its moved to its upright position.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the constructed case showing two support post assemblies secured to a common end wall member illustrating the principles of the present invention and taken along line 44 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 5 is a prospective view of a partially constructed case member showing the side panels and support post assembly in their upright position before the end walls are moved to final position.

FIG. 6 is a partial constructed case illustrating a sample product loaded in the case prior to moving the support tabs to their final position.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the relationship of a support post assembly and a support tab with its end wall and support shelf illustrating the principles of the present invention and taken along line 77 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 8 is a prospective view illustrating a partially constructed case member after the support tabs are moved to their closed position and prior to moving the support shelves to their final position.

FIG. 9 is a prospective view of a constructed case member in its final constructed position with loaded products illustrating the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring generally to the figures, there is disclosed a case blank designated generally by numeral 10. The case blank 10 is made up of three major elements, a main body portion 11, flanked by two side portions 12 and 13.

The main portion 11 is provided with edges 16 and 17. The major parts of the main portion 11 are generally referred to as a bottom panel 20 and side panels 22 and 23. Support shelves 24 and 25 are provided adjacent the side panels 22 and 23, respectively. The ends of support panel 24 is defined by cuts 26 and 27, and is separated from the side panel 22 by a score line 28. The ends of support shelf 25 are defined by cuts 30 and 31, and is separated from the side panel 23 by a score line 32. The side panel 22 is separated from side portion 12 by a score line 34 and from side portion 13 by a score line 35, and from bottom panel 20 by a score line 36. The side panel 23 is separated from side portion 12 by a score line 37 and from side portion 13 by a score line 38 and from bottom panel 20 by a score line 39. Bottom panel 20, as stated above, is separated from side panels 22 and 23 by the score lines 36 and 39, respectively, and from the side portion 12 by score line 40 and from the side portion 13 by score line 41.

The side portion 12 is made up of three major portions, namely, support post assembly 43, end wall 44 and support post assembly 45. Side portion 13 is made up of three major portions, namely, support post assembly 47, end wall 48 and support post assembly 49. The function of all the support post assemblies 43, 45, 47 and 49 are similar to one another in operation.

The end wall 44 is connected to bottom panel 20 by the score line 40 and is terminated at a top edge 51. The end wall 44 is separated from support post assembly 43 and support post assembly 45 by cuts 52 and 53, respectively. End wall 48 is connected to bottom panel 20 by score line 41 and terminates at a top edge 55. The end wall 48 is separated from support post assembly 47 and support post assembly 49 by cuts 56 and 57, respectively.

The construction of support post assembly 47 will be explained in detail and similar actions are made by the support post assemblies 43, 45 and 49, but these will not be discussed in detail.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, when the case blank is being formed into a constructed case, hot melt beads 60 will be applied as required to the inside surface of the support post assembly 47. These beads are shown in phantom on FIG. 1.

The first step in forming a completed support post assembly 47 will be to rotate a first column 62 about a single score line 63 so that the inside surface of the first column 62 will come in contact with the inside surface of a second column 64 which then forms a double thickness, as viewed in FIG. 2. This double thickness will then be turned over a double score line 65 bringing the outside surface of first column 62 in contact with the inside surface of a third column designated by numeral 66, as viewed in FIG. 3.

A score line 68 is provided at one end of third column 66 separating a support tab 69 from the third column 66. The full purpose and function of the support tab 69 will be explained in more detail below. As stated above, the other support post assemblies 43, 45 and 49 are made up of similar elements. These elements will not be discussed individually. The elements in support post assembly 43 are numbered the same as support elements of 47 except they are designated by 100 and the same is true of support post assemblies 45 and 49 except the numbers as designated as 200 and 300, respectively.

After the support post assemblies 43, 45, 47 and 49 have been formed as discussed above, the side panel 22 will be moved in an upright position about score line 36 at a substantially right angle to bottom panel 20. Support post assembly 47 will be rotated about score line 35 so that its bottom edge is positioned over bottom panel and aligned with score line 41. Support post assembly 43 will be rotated around score line 34 and its bottom edge will be positioned over bottom panel 20 and aligned with score line 40.

While the side panel 22 is being positioned, side panel 23 will also be positioned and it will move around score line 39 and be positioned in substantially the same manner as side panel 22 as best viewed in FIG. 5. The support post 49 will be moved about score line 38 and have its bottom edge positioned over bottom panel 20 and aligned with score line 41. The support post 45 will be moved about score line 37 and have its bottom edge positioned over the botton panel 20 and aligned with score line 40.

Hot melt beads 71 are applied to end wall 48 and hot melt beads 72 is applied to end wall 44. After the side panels 22 and 23, and their adjacent parts have been positioned as discussed above, the end walls 48 and 44 will be rotated about score lines 41 and 40, respectively. The hot melt beads 71 on end wall panel 48 are so positioned that they will come in securing contact with the outside surface of 3rd columns 66 and 366 of support post assemblies 47 and 49, respectively.

Reference is made to FIG. 4 showing the crosssectional assembly of the container at this time. The hot melt beads 72 of end wall 44 are in such a pattern that they will come in contact with the outside surfaces of 3rd columns 166 and 266 of support post assembly 43 and 44, respectively, making similar contacts as illustrated in FIG. 4 for columns 47 and 49. The case will now appear as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Hot melt beads 74 will be applied on all the outside surfaces of the support tabs 69, 169, 269 and 369. This will normally be accomplished after the product to be packaged has been positioned in the case. In the present illustration, paperboard containers 75 are illustrated and they have been positioned in the case. It should be noted that the support tabs are all mounted to the third columns and when moved from the position as illustrated in FIG. 6 to the position as illustrated in FIG. 8, they will extend over the first, second, and third columns of the support post assembly they are associated with. This is best viewed in FIG. 7.

After the product has been loaded, the support tabs will have the hot melt applied. Typical procedure will be to have the support tab 69 moved about score line 68 and support tab 169 moved about score line 168. Then the support shelf 24 will be moved about score line 28 having its inside surface coming in contact with the outside surface of support tabs 69 and 169. At the same time, support tabs 369 and 269 will be moved about score lines 368 and 268, respectively, and support shelf 25 will be moved about score line 32, having its inside surface coming in contact with the outside surface of the support tabs 368 and 268. The case is now complete as illustrated in FIG. 9.

This case is structurally sound having particularly substantial support characteristics at the corners because of the full length three-column support post assemblies. The support tabs are positioned so that they extend over all three columns and they act with the support shelves to give maximum support because the pressure applied to the support shelves are directed to the total available columns of each support post assembly. The support tabs connects to the support shelves in such a way thay they tend to move into their bonding relationship with each other and not away from it.

The case blank 10 could be made out of various ma terials to accomplish the above discussed purposes. One of the types of material would be a corrugated box board. The preferred embodiment would have the flutes of the corrugated box board running along or parallel with score lines 34, 35, 37, 38, 40 and 41. It is estimated that this would provide the maximum strength to the support post assemblies 43, 45, 47 and 49. The double scores 65, 165, 265 and 365 provides for easy folding of the support post assemblies because of the 3 column structure. The support tabs 69, 169, 269 and 369 extend over the upper ends of all 3 columns of the 4 support post assemblies giving an additional protection from moisture running down the full length of the columns.

While but one form of this invention has been shown and described, other forms within the spirit and scope of the invention will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the embodiment shown in the drawings is to be considered as merely set forth for illustrated purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention hereindescribed and shown.

What is claimed is:

l. A case member having in combination:

a. a rectangular bottom panel;

b. first and second end walls connected to first and second opposite sides of said bottom panel;

0. first and second side panels connected to third and fourth opposite sides of said bottom panel;

(I. first and second support post assemblies connected to the ends of said first side panel and positioned over said bottom panel;

e. third and fourth support post assemblies connected to the ends of said second side panel and positioned over said bottom panel;

f. said first and third support post assemblies are secured to the ends of said first end wall;

g. said second and fourth support post assemblies are secured to the end of said second end wall;

h. said support post assemblies have a first, second and third columns;

i. said third columns are connected to their respective side panel ends by one side and their other side to a said second column;

j. said second columns are positioned substantially parallel with said third columns and have their other side connected to said first column;

k. said first column is positioned between said second and third columns and has its free side adjacent the connection of said second and third columns;

1. said first side panel has a first support shelf connected at its upper edge;

m. said second side panel has a second support shelf connected at its upper edge;

n. said first support shelf is positioned over said bottom panel and substantially parallel to it;

0. said second support shelf is positioned over said bottom panel and substantially parallel to it;

p. said first and second support post assemblies are secured to the ends of said first support shelf and extend between it and said bottom panel; and

q. said third and fourth support post assemblies are secured to the ends of said second support shelf and extend between it and said bottom panel.

2. A case member as defined in claim 1, having:

a. support tabs connected to said third columns and positioned over the upper ends of said support post assemblies; and

b. said support tabs are secured to said support shelves. 

1. A case member having in combination: a. a rectangular bottom panel; b. first and second end walls connected to first and second opposite sides of said bottom panel; c. first and second side panels connected to third and fourth opposite sides of said bottom panel; d. first and second support post assemblies connected to the ends of said first side panel and positioned over said bottom panel; e. third and fourth support post assemblies connected to the ends of said second side panel and positioned over said bottom panel; f. said first and third support post assemblies are secured to the ends of said first end wall; g. said second and fourth support post assemblies are secured to the end of said second end wall; h. said support post assemblies have a first, second and third columns; i. said third columns are connected to their respective side panel ends by one side and their other side to a said second column; j. said second columns are positioned substantially parallel with said third columns and have their other side connected to said first column; k. said first column is positioned between said second and third columns and has its free side adjacent the connection of said second and third columns; l. said first side panel has a first support shelf connected at its upper edge; m. said second side panel has a second support shelf connected at its upper edge; n. said first support shelf is positioned over said bottom panel and substantially parallel to it; o. said second support shelf is positioned over said bottom panel and substantially parallel to it; p. said first and second support post assemblies are secured to the ends of said first support shelf and extend between it and said bottom panel; and q. said third and fourth support post assemblies are secured to the ends of said second support shelf and extend between it and said bottom panel.
 2. A case member as defined in claim 1, having: a. support tabs connected to said third columns and positioned over the upper ends of said support post assemblies; and b. said support tabs are secured to said support shelves. 